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The R.A.C.E. Foundation Closes Inaugural Year by Awarding Grants to Chicagoland Charities

Joliet, Ill. - December 13, 2012 - Chicagoland Speedway’s 501c3 foundation, R.A.C.E., awarded $25,000 in grants to five Chicago-area charities at a luncheon on Thursday, raising its total charitable gifts for 2012 to $70,370.

“When we launched R.A.C.E. seven months ago, we knew it had the ability to benefit those in the community and we are seeing that come to fruition,” said Scott Paddock, president of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway. “What we accomplished in our first year exceeded our expectations, but we are committed to growing our charitable arm to new heights in 2013. This process has given us a wonderful opportunity to see how many remarkable local projects are in need of support and we are ready to step up and assist in filling that void going forward.”

The Bridge Teen Center, Greater Joliet YMCA, George Werden Buck Boys and Girls Club, Nathan C. Splant Foundation and Will County Children’s Advocacy Center were selected and recognized for their notable contributions to the community and were awarded cash donations through the R.A.C.E. grant process.

R.A.C.E. provided Joliet’s Central City YMCA, part of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, with $5,000 to support Project SOAR and Central City YMCA’s youth basketball and cheerleading leagues.

George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club received a donation of $6,500 to assist with their Memorable Male Mentors program with aims to counteract the gang recruitment of young males in the Joliet community.

In addition, the Nathan C. Splant Foundation received a $2,000 for the Halo Project which provides HALO SleepSacks for babies in the NICU of Munster Community Hospital.

In addition to the $25,000 in grants, the Speedway also awarded another $45,000 through scholarships, silent auctions, partnerships and raffles.

As an Advisory Committee member, Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante was on-site for the presentation.

"Joliet and Will County are home to some of the most incredible charities and programs in the state of Illinois and it is great to see them receiving the support they deserve," said Giarrante. "Chicagoland Speedway is committed to changing our community for the better and as a R.A.C.E. Advisory Committee member I am excited to be a part of that process going forward.”

With a focus on youth, safe driving and the military, R.A.C.E. raised funds over the course of the year through community events, raffles and auctions. The three principles guided the seven-member R.A.C.E. Advisory Committee, which was responsible for evaluating grant applications throughout the year.